by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 59 U.S. colleges awarded 879 degrees and certificates in Business/Corporate Communications. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Business/Corporate Communications Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $38,572 one year after completing, rising to $61,843 after four years.
Appropriate communication creates an element of understanding and trust between two parties. The ability to gain these relationships is critical, especially in the business world. A major in Business and Corporate Communication will prepare you create these connections. This program educates students to function within the business or corporate setting as a proofreader, composer, and editor of business or business related communications. You will learn how to communicate effectively both verbally and nonverbally.
Some of the classes you will take in this major include Public Speaking, Media Analysis and Criticism, Interpersonal and Group Communication, Business Communications, and Advertising and Marketing Communications. This major is commonly offered as a Bachelor's degree.
A degree in Business/Corporate Communications explores Business/corporate Communications.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, business/corporate communications is a popular field of study, with 879 degrees awarded annually. 59 colleges award business/corporate communications degrees, an average of 15 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 213.
By level, the 879 awards include 18 associate degrees, 579 bachelor’s degrees and 282 master’s degrees.
Women earned 61% of business/corporate communications degrees and certificates in the latest year (537 of 879). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (424) and Hispanic or Latino (167), and international students earned 41.
College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Business/Corporate Communications Schools ranking, including 12 for bachelor’s degrees and 5 for master’s degrees. It also ranks business/corporate communications schools within 9 states. In all, 59 colleges offer business/corporate communications programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Business/Corporate Communications Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common business/corporate communications credential is the bachelor’s degree: 579 of the 879 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to business/corporate communications call most for Writing, Reading Comprehension and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
If you enjoy interacting with others and are well-spoken, this major would be an excellent fit for you. This major will required a lot of group work, making teamwork skills essential. You will learn how to prepare presentations, deliver speeches, and explain policies; students will need to hone their public speaking and interpersonal skills. Strong writing skills are also important. In order to prepare for field, it is advised to take prior courses in Speech, Creative Writing, Psychology, English, and Computer Applications.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a business/corporate communications degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 18 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 579 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 282 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to business/corporate communications, at 33.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.4% |
| Master’s degree | 28.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.6% |
| Some college courses | 8.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.8% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
11 occupations are related to Business/Corporate Communications, with an average median salary of $85,946; the strongest outlook belongs to Fundraisers, at 12.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Assistant Professor, Instructor, College Faculty Member and College Professor.
Graduates with a Business/Corporate Communications can expect career options in a number of fields. These options include Copywriters, Technical Writers, Public Relations Specialist, Human Resources Managers and Editors. The majority of these careers involve a great deal of writing and proofreading. Public Relations Specialist and Human Resources Managers work directly with individuals and companies in order to improve and promote their performance.
The occupation related to business/corporate communications with the most projected jobs is Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, at 919,494.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Technical Writers | 396,969 | 6.9% |
| Fundraising Managers | 340,731 | -1.0% |
| Fundraisers | 340,575 | 12.6% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| Proofreaders and Copy Markers | 284,430 | 0.7% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
Business/Corporate Communications graduates earn a median $38,572 one year after completing their program, $61,843 after four years and $60,918 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,572 |
| 4 years | $61,843 |
| 5 years | $60,918 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to business/corporate communications is Public Relations Managers, with a median salary of $139,736.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Fundraisers | $118,069 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Editors | $100,346 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Fundraising Managers | $90,350 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
Business/Corporate Communications includes 3 concentrations that together award 879 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Business/Corporate Communications, General (860), Business/Corporate Communications, Other (14) and Grantsmanship (5). It has 21 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 883,270 degrees a year; the largest are Business Administration, Management and Operations (421,752), Accounting and Related Services (86,793) and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (68,298). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business/Corporate Communications, General | 860 |
| Business/Corporate Communications, Other | 14 |
| Grantsmanship | 5 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 421,752 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 86,793 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 68,298 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 61,663 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 60,422 |
| Marketing | 56,635 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 27,822 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 15,088 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 14,895 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,200 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
